Monthly Archives: November 2014

First of all what is jet-lag? Jet-lag is often experienced by travellers when they travel for long distances across a number of time zones. It is believed that crossing these times zones quickly disrupts the circadian rhythms of the body causing the traveller to experience any number of different symptoms:

low energy

disorientation

nausea

sleeplessness

headaches

inability to focus and concentrate

digestive upsets

to name a few. These symptoms can be mild and only last a day or two or can be quite severe and last for days, debilitating the traveller. Another contributing factor to jet-lag is the artificial atmosphere in the plane as it is dry and there is also less oxygen than on the ground. Also the long exposure to the radiation and the lack of physical activity for hours also causes stress to the body, one of the symptoms being DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

So what can you do to reduce stress of jet-lag on the body?

Increase your water intake – this will assist in reducing the dehydration the body experiences.

Avoid alcohol – alcohol dehydrates the body further and causes extra stress on the digestive system.

Eat lightly – as the digestive system is affected eating lightly will reduce the strain on the digestive system

Breathing – actively take some deep breaths in and out every hour as this will increase the amount of oxygen taken into the body

Simulate the day/night cycle of your destination – assist your body to adjust its circadian rhythm by changing your day/night pattern to that of your destination. If your destination is 12 hours behind and it is night time there, when you take off, lower the blinds and turn off the lights and try to sleep.

As a Kinesiologist I know that acupressure points are used to stimulate the meridian system and help bring the body back into balance. I started to do some research so that I could assist my partner and clients who were travelling overseas. I found ‘No More Jet Lag‘ by Dr Charles Kreb, a scientist and Kinesiologist. This was exactly what I was looking for. Below is what Jannine experienced using this.

“When I have travelled long haul in the past I have always suffered jet-lag. Travelling for work also means you have to be in ‘work mode’ pretty soon after getting in, so there is really no time for jet-lag. In the past my symptoms have been a craving for sunlight, trouble sleeping and feeling physically ill (nausea and feeling like I would pass out) for at least a couple of days. The jet-lag could last about 5 days.

Vicki gave me the ‘No More Jet Lag‘ decoder – which uses acupressure points to combat jet-lag. I was more than happy to try this, knowing how good acupressure can be through Kinesiology. The decoder is simple, and I first used it shortly after arriving at Heathrow. While tired on the Monday I got through the day and was fresh for meetings on the Tuesday. The Tuesday night saw me tired, however not in the dame way I have experienced previously with jet-lag. After that I was fine, transitioning to UK time and sleeping soundly each night. My colleagues were fascinated, they all travel and know now debilitating jet-lag can be.

When I got to Sydney, and into the car I got the decoder out, worked out the points and rubbed. Again I was tired on the Sunday, but slept Sunday night. I slept will each night that week, no sunlight cravings, no nausea, no feelings of passing out. There were no symptoms at all. I was stoked. Sixty seconds of rubbing acupressure points and my circadian rhythms were in sync with my location, my body was adjusted and I had none of the stress from jet-lag at all.” Jannine, Sydney

Along with the above suggestions to reduce the stress on the body, Jannine has used the decoder a number of times and has not suffered from jet-lag. If you are travelling overseas you might find the ‘No More Jet Lag‘ decoder a good travelling companion.